The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-02-04
February.

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The birth of George Washington in it
has not raised it in public esteem. In
the North, it is a month to flee from
in the south, at best it is waiting
month"; month of rain and ickle
skies. A good deal has been done for
it. 1t is the month of St. Valentine,
it is distinguished by the leap-year ad-
di,ion of day, and ought to be a
iavorite of the gentle sex; but it re-
mains a sort of off period in the year
Its brevity recommends it, but the
Drawer would take no notice OF it
were it not for its effect upon character.
A month OF rigid weather is supposed
to brace up the moral nature, and a
month of gentleness is supposed to
soften the asperities of the disposition,
but February contributes to neither of
these ends. 1t is neither tonic nor
soother that is, IN most parts OF our
inexplicable land. We make no CON-
plant of this. 1t is probably well to
have period in the year that tests
character to the utmost, and the per-
son who can enter spring through the
gate of February better man or wo
man is likely to adorn society the rest
of the year.
February, however, is merely an
illustration of the effect of weather up
on the disposition. Persons differ in
regard to their sensitiveness to cloudy,
rainy, and gloomy days. We recog-
nize this in general way, but the re-
lation of temper and disposition to the
weather has never been scientifically
studied. Our observation of the in
fluence of climate is mostly with regard
to physical infrmities. We know the
effect of damp weather upon rheuma
tics, and of the east wind upon gouty
subjects, but too little allowance is
made for the influence of weather upon
the spirits and the conduct of men.
We know that long period of gloomy
weather leads to suicides, aud we OBJ
serve that long-continued clouds and
rain beget ''crossness" and ill.temper,
and we are all familiar with the uui-
versal exhilaration Of sunshine and
clear air upon any company of men
and women. But the point the Draw
er wishes to make is that neither So
ciety nor the law makes any allowance
for the alterations of human nature
caused by dull and unpleasant wealth
er. And this is very singular in this
humanitarian age, when excuse is
found for nearly every moral delin-
quency in heredity or environment,
that the greatest factor of discomfort
and crookedness, the weather, should
be left out of consideration altogether.
The relation of crime to the tempera-
ture and the humidity of the atmos-
phere is not taken into account. Yet
crime and eccentricity of conduct are
much the result of atmospheric condi-
tions, since they depend upon the tenn
per and the spirit of the community.
Many people are habitually blue and
own-hearted in sour weather; long
spell of cloudy, damp, cold weather
depresses everybody, lowers hope,
teLds to melancholy ; aud people when
they are not cheerful are more apt to
fall into evil ways, as rule, than when
they are in normal state of good.
humor. And aside from crimes, the
vexation, the friction, the domestic
discomfort in life, are provoked by bad
weather. We should like to have
some statistics as to incompatibility
between married couples produced by
damp and raw days, and to know
whether divorces are more numerous
in the States that suffer from a tickle
climate than in those where the climate
is more equable. 1t is true that in
the Sandwich Islands and in Egypt
there is greater mental serenity, less
perturbation of spirit, less worry, than
in the changeable United States.
Something of this placidity and resig-
nation to the ills inevitable in human
life is due to an even climate, to the
constant sun and the dry air. We
cannot hope to prevent crime and suf-
fering by statistics, any more than we
have been able to improve our climate
(Which is rather worse now than be
fore the scientists took it in charge) by
observations and telegraphic reports
but we can, by careful tabulation of
the effect of bad weather upon the
spirits of community, learn what
places in the Union are favorable to
the production of cheerfulness and an
equal mind And we should lift a
load of reprobation from some places
which now have reputation for surli-
ness und unamiability. We find the
people of one place hospitable, light.
hearted, and agreeable the people of
another place, cold and morose and un-
pleasant. 1t would be a satisfaction
TO know that the weather is responsible
for the difference. Observation of
this sort would also teach US doubtless
what places are most conducive TO
literary production, what TO happy
homes and agreeing wives and hus-
bands. All our territory is mapped
out as to It's sanitary conditions why
not have it colored as to lis effect upon
the spirits and the enjoyment of life
The suggestion opens vast field of
observation-disclosures DUDLEY WAR
NER, in Harper's Magazine for Feb
ruary